Heavy rains bring hope and problems to dry Kurdistan

Heavy rain has fallen across the Sulaimani province resulting in flash floods.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A deluge of rain showers has flooded many areas in the Kurdistan Region over the past week — a welcome relief for farmers, but a nuisance for city dwellers and mountain villagers.

Fadhil Ibrahim, the head of the KRG’s meteorology and earthquake directorate, told Rudaw that the showers will continue until next week with few disruptions. Ibrahim was content with the “good amount of rain.”

Thunderstorms brought heavy rains on Saturday night, which Ibrahim said was a record.

Data from the directorate shows that gauges were filled with 131.8 mm of rain in Sulaimani, 51.1 in Erbil, and 7.6 in Duhok.

Video: Heavy rainfalls have resulted in flash floods in the neighborhood of Qliasan in Sulaimani.

The waters brought back hope to those, especially farmers, who thought this year would be drought-filled.

The rain hasn’t been without its drawbacks, however.

Officials warned against consuming tap water in Sulaimani on Sunday province due to “blurriness,” Amanj Jalal, the media officer for province’s water directorate, told Rudaw.

Video: Several springs have burst in Sarchnar resort in Sulaimani.

Jalal also said that they would not resume water services until the water source has returned to normal to protect “the health of citizens.”

Some neighborhoods in Erbil were flooded, including Gilkand neighborhood which suffers from heavy rains often.

Locals have blamed the government for property damage.

“This happens every year but this year the government built sewage and assured us that we will not be affected by the flood once again,” said one business owner in Erbil.